ed with a large share of
animal courage. With beating heart John struck a light, and held up a
flaming brimstone match. This caused the eyes to glare with fearful
intensity, and revealed a distinct pair of horns. At that moment the
match went out. With anxious trepidation another light was struck, and
then it was discovered that a recently purchased goat had, under a wrong
impression, taken possession of the family bed.

Laughing at this, they lit a tallow candle, which was stuck into that
most convenient of candlesticks--an empty bottle.

The brothers, although not proficients, were mechanical in their way.
One had set up the household bed; another had constructed a table, which
had broken down only six times since their arrival; and the third had
contrived a sofa. This last was Jim's work. It was a masterpiece in
its way, of simplicity, and consisted of two rough planks laid on two
mounds of earth, the whole being covered with a piece of chintz which
fell in a curtain to the floor. This curtain, like love, covered a
multitude of improprieties, in the shape of old boots, dirty linen,
miscellaneous articles, and a sea-chest.

Sitting down on the sofa, John Skyd laughed long and heartily at the
scene with the goat. His laugh suddenly ceased, and was replaced by an
exclamation and a look of anxious surprise. "Something" had moved under
the sofa! Snakes occurred to their minds at once, and the deadly
character of South African snakes was well known.

"Look out, boys," cried John, leaping on the sofa, and seizing a sword
which hung on a peg just above it.--"Fetch the light."

Bob quickly obeyed and revealed the tail of a large cobra disappearing
among the improprieties. Jim ran to a rude cupboard where pistols and
ammunition were kept, and began to load with small shot.

"This way I hold it closer to the wall," said John, in an earnest voice;
"I see one of his coils at the back of the sofa. Now then, steady--
there!"

He made a deadly thrust as he spoke and pinned the snake to the ground,
but evidently by the wrong coil, for in a moment its angry head was seen
twining up towards the handle of the sword.

"Quick, Jim--the pistol!"

Jim was ready and Bob raised the curtain of the sofa, while John stood
in readiness to let go the sword and bolt if the reptile should prove to
be capable of reaching his hand.

"Fire, Jim, fire! look sharp!" cried John Skyd.

Jim took aim and fired. The candle was put ou